Take Back North Carolina Initiative Press Conf
Wednesday afternoon at 3:30, the United States Attorney’s Office conducted a press conference at the Henderson Police Department. The audio of the press conference is available here. Discussed was the beginning of a new initiative to combat violent and drug crime in the Eastern District of North Carolina. This initiative will bring the full weight and resources of the federal court system in the fight against crime in the counties of Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and all the counties of the Eastern District of NC in partnership with the District Attorneys’ offices and federal, state and local law enforcement. The initiative will also focus on the alarming level of opioid use and the deaths associated with it. The speaker was United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. and in attendance were the Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin County sheriffs as well as the Police Chief of Henderson, Oxford and Louisburg. Also present were the District Attorney for the 9th Prosecutorial District and the ADA. According to what was said at the press conference, the goal is to reverse the trends where violent crimes and drug-related deaths have shot up in the last couple of years both in North Carolina, specifically the Eastern District, and across the nation. Higdon said opioid use is higher in eastern NC than the rest of the state. He essentially said the federal government in recent years had stopped using all its tools to prosecute the worst offenders and charge them with the worst crime. He said the work was already underway and through cooperation among law enforcement agencies and local and federal prosecutors, the goal was to significantly reduce crime by getting the worst offenders in federal court as fast as possible. He said when death was involved in a drug case, a federal court can us a 20 year mandatory sentence. He said when a gun is in the possession of the offender five years can be added to the sentence, and that goes to seven years if the gun is brandished and 10 years if the gun is discharged. He said there would be a 14-day plea deadline, and it was best if the offender plead guilty to reduce his/her sentence and because the penalties would be consistent for offenders and the punishment would fit the crime. Crimes against a law enforcement officer would be given a priority. He said there would be seizure of assets – cash, car, house, business. He said the federal courts would be going after medical professionals who administer drugs inappropriately. He said he hoped to deter crime rather than have to prosecute.
Veterans Dog Walk at Vance Co. Animal Shelter
The Vance County Animal Shelter, located at 1243 Brodie Rd in Henderson, will host a Veterans Dog Walk on Saturday, May 12, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The public is welcome, with veterans and first responders strongly encouraged to attend. Participants will be walking and interacting with selected shelter dogs in an effort to provide companionship and trust-building activities.
The event, titled Paws, Tails and Boots, was founded by veteran and Vance County Animal Shelter volunteer Mark Ferri. Ferri began the program in 2016 as a way to raise awareness of the mental health issues faced by veterans.
According to Ferri, the event has grown with the support of both the Vance County Animal Shelter and Chief Frankie Nobles. “Frankie and his staff are like family to me,” Ferri said. “I couldn’t do it without them.”
Ferri believes that the veterans and dogs interact so well because “both of us have had traumatic experiences, both of us need help and both of us need each other.”
By working together, Ferri believes that the interaction is beneficial and healing to both human and dog. “When you take a dog for a walk, the veteran engages with the public, gets out of their shell and builds trust,” said Ferri. “The animal also enjoys the walk and builds trust in humans as well.”
While there, Ferri and other participants will be encouraging others who are eligible to commit to adopting a shelter animal, be it dog or cat.
According to Ferri, the only thing you need to do to participate in the event is to “bring some good walking shoes and a good attitude.”
For more information on the Vance County Animal Shelter and their services, please visit their website at https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/animal%20control/.
Warren County Farmers Market Now Open!
-Courtesy of Chamber Connections, the Chamber of Commerce of Warren County’s weekly newsletter
The Warren County Farmers Market is now open!
Here’s a little of what you’ll find in 2018:
Produce – Spring onions – Turnip greens – Purple kale – Bok Choy – Small organic freshly cut Nozaki Chinese cabbages – Lettuce Plants – Pineapple Sage – English Lavender – Thyme – Tri-Color Sage – Oswego Tea – Blood Sorrel – Peppermint – French Tarragon – Stevia – Fraises Des Bois – Eggs – Chicken – Duck Meat -Steaks, roasts, a variety of beef sausages and ground beef – Whole chickens as well as skinless, boneless breasts and skinless legs/thighs; Sauces – Curry (Hot and Mild) – Jerk (Hot and Mild) – Brown (Hot and Mild); Baked goods – Blueberry crumb cake – Lemon pound cake – Chocolate pound cake with lemon drizzle – Old-fashioned pound cake – Cheese bread – Cranberry/orange muffins – Brownies – Banana nut bread.
Syrups – Honey – Blackstrap molasses; Flowers – Flower bouquets – Shasta Daisy potted plants – Planted bulbs of Stargazer & Casablanca Lilies – Flower Photographs; Framed Poetry; Crafts Fit of Pique Garden Pots, including Strawberry Jars; Diffuser brackets; Dog Treats – Organic and All Natural Biscuits, Crunchy Peanut Butter and Bacon Cheddar Barley Bones including a “Lucky Buck” for $1 discount on future Farmers Market purchases.
If you have any questions, please call Danylu Hundley at 252-213-1795. The Warren County Farmers Market is located in Historic Downtown Warrenton in the BB&T parking lot at the corner of Macon & Bragg Streets and open Saturdays from 8 a.m. – Noon. Looking for more information? Call 252-257-3640 or visit www.warrengrowers.com.
According to Hundley, “Our vendors will be excited to see you, and we hope that you will enjoy seeing “seasoned” vendors and meeting new ones! We are excited that our market is growing this year and will continue to grow as the season moves forward. Come out and support your Warren County farmers and craftspeople. We have been hard at work during the cold weather in preparation for YOU!”
(This is not a paid advertisement)
Northern Vance High School Honors Graduation Marshals
Vance County Schools
For Immediate Release
Juniors who attend Northern Vance High School were honored on Friday, April 13, 2018, at a reception for their selection as graduation marshals for the Class of 2018.
The students were selected based on their outstanding academic achievements.
Northern Vance’s graduation ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 9, 2018, beginning at 12 p.m. in the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in downtown Henderson.
Those who will serve as graduation marshals include: front row – from left, Billy Zheng (lead marshal), Tomesha Jefferson, Matthew Munn, Ryan Stainback, Destinee Bullock and Briana Sulyans. Back row – from left, Anterrahn Harris, Brittany Kersey, Jaida Lewis, Alex Machado, Breana Williams and Tierra Bullock.
Warren Co. Chamber of Commerce Office Moving
In the next several weeks, the office of the Chamber of Commerce of Warren County will be moving just down the block and across the street. The new location will be at 131 South Main Street – in the Warrenton Insurance building.
Southern Vance High School Honors Graduation Marshals
Vance County Schools
For Immediate Release
Students who are juniors at Southern Vance High School and have qualified as graduation marshals for the Class of 2018 due to their outstanding academic performance were honored at a reception recently at the school.
Southern Vance’s graduation ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2018, beginning at 8 a.m. in the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in downtown Henderson.
Those who will serve as graduation marshals include: first row – from left, Madonna Baselios, Mya McKnight, Shel’Nyia Hargrove, Miracle Chin, Tar’Naja Thorpe and April Pendergrass. Second row, from left, Eleodoro Nunez Aldana, Gabriela Ventura, Wendy Portillo and Robert Susewell. Unavailable for the photo were Shannon Riggan, Deana Hawkins and Aaliyah Simril.
4th Annual Hawg in the Holler Musical Festival – Sat. April 28
-Information provided courtesy of the Granville Tourism Development Authority
Join us for the 4th Annual Hawg in the Holler Music Festival on Saturday, April 28, 2018, from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Vino Oasi in Stem! Enjoy a great day of music, food, Kids Zone and much more. Bring the whole family! There will be great vendors and food trucks. This year’s beneficiary is Families Living Violence Free.
About the charity:
We honor families as the life of our community – where dreams are born, children are nurtured and adults find purpose. Because many members of our community who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault are denied these rights to quality of life and to basic human dignity, Families Living Violence Free is dedicated to empowering Granville County families to live safe, non-violent lives.
Featured bands for the day include (in this order):
Mike Brooks from 98.3 is back as emcee; food vendors and some special family-friendly “surprises” throughout the day!
All parking will take place at the venue, Vino Oasi located at 3200 Bliss Trail, Stem, NC 27581.
Ticket price includes entry to festival and parking. No outside beverages or food allowed. Service animals only. All children must be supervised at all times.
Plan on bringing a lawn chair with you.
Visit our Facebook page to learn more and stay up-to-date on the festival!
(This is not a paid advertisement)
Boards & Commissions Committee to Meet Friday, April 27
-Submitted by Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson
As of 4/27/18, this meeting has been CANCELLED and will be rescheduled for a later date.
The Boards and Commissions Committee of the Henderson City Council will meet on Friday, April 27, 2018, at 2 p.m. in the large conference room at City Hall, 134 Rose Avenue. The purpose of the meeting is to consider applications for various citizen committees. The public is welcome to attend.